Boeing, Lockheed talk shop on JSF

Talks about role in contract called 'constructive'

By

AugustCole

CHICAGO (CBS.MW) -- Boeing and Lockheed Martin said Friday that the two rivals held talks about possible participation in the Lockheed-led Joint Strike Fighter program, a defense initiative worth more than $200 billion.

Though the 3,000-jet Pentagon contract was awarded to Lockheed last month and officially known as an all-or-nothing win in order to hold down costs, analysts had expected that some of the work would in fact be shared. See full story.

Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company, and Lockheed termed the discussions, which appear likely to have been the first of many, "constructive."

"Boeing presented an overview of its strengths and capabilities, and Lockheed Martin representatives agreed to consider them further, in relation to the government's cost and schedule constraints," the two companies said in a joint statement.

"It is a very good first step," said Boeing defense spokesman Todd Blecher.

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